Puma Velocity Nitro 5 Overview & First Run Review
Below we are breaking down the Puma Velocity Nitro 5 and comparing it to the new Puma Deviate Pure Nitro to help you determine which one you should add to your running shoe rotation.
Puma’s classic daily trainer gets a meaningful refresh for 2026. The Velocity Nitro 5 keeps its non-plated, versatile identity but now features a 35mm stack, updated NITROFOAM ATPU midsole, and comes in at just 230g for $140. If you’re after a lower-to-the-ground trainer that blends flexibility, comfort, and enough bounce for everything from easy miles to faster efforts, this looks like one of Puma’s strongest updates yet.
Puma Velocity Nitro 5 Specs
Stack Height: 35mm of foam in the heel with an 8mm drop
Weight: 230 grams in a sample size Men's 9
Midsole Construction: non-plated ATPU NitroFoam
Price: $140
Competitors: It competes with shoes like the ASICS Novablast 6 ($155), Hoka Mach 7 ($145), and the New Balance Rebel v5 ($140)
Puma Velocity Nitro 5
Puma Velocity Nitro 5 vs Puma Deviate Pure Nitro
Marketing Brief
The Velocity Nitro 5 is designed to be a low to the ground daily trainer that combines ground feel and flexibility with modern bounce while the Deviate Pure Nitro was introduced as a new non-plated, versatile uptempo trainer designed to provide a no-nonsense, peppy ride. The use case here seems very similar in terms of how these two shoes are being marketed, so we needed to figure out if runners would find them to be different enough to include both in their running shoe rotation, or if it was an either or situation. Just looking at them, the design is very similar with the Velocity Nitro 5 just appearing to be a slightly bigger, heavier version of the Deviate Pure Nitro.
Midsole Construction
The Velocity Nitro 5 has a lower stack height than the Deviate Pure Nitro with the Velocity measuring in at 35mm in the heel and the Pure coming in at 38mm in the heel. They both have a classic Puma 8mm drop. Despite the lower stack height of the Velocity, it weighs in significantly heavier at 230 grams in a Men's US sample size 9, compared to 220 grams for the Pure in the same size. This iteration of the Velocity Nitro 5 features a non-plated NITROFOAM ATPU midsole designed for versatility, while the Deviate Pure Nitro features a non-plated NITROFOAM PEBA midsole designed for smooth uptempo miles.
Puma Deviate Pure Nitro
Fit & Feel
Puma has been known for narrow, low-volume toe boxes, and the Velocity Nitro 4 was a prime example of this issue. It fit very tight across the midfoot and the volume was very low. This new iteration feels like it might be a touch wider in the toebox, but it still does have a low volume fit. The Deviate Pure Nitro is a little more accommodating and not as noticeably snug.
Price
The Velocity Nitro 5 is priced at $140, which is incredibly competitive and a great deal for the foam and upper experience and comfort that you are getting in the shoe. The Deviate Pure Nitro comes in only slightly more at $150, which is also a great deal for a shoe of this caliber.
Summary
Our experience in the two shoes, despite the distinction offered by Puma, is that they are two versions of the same thing. This is not a situation in which you would want to own both shoes. If you are looking for a more standard, comfort-oriented, traditional, lower to the ground, robust, and firm sensation underfoot, we'd recommend going with the Puma Velocity Nitro 5. If you are looking for a lighter weight, softer, more modern feeling ride, we'd recommend going with the new Deviate Pure Nitro.
For Yowana's full first run review video, check out the Supwell YouTube channel:
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